Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Telegram and other social media platforms in Senegal have been blocked as part of measures to quell widespread protests over the sentencing of opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko.

The West African country has been facing repeated protests amid growing frustration with President Macky Sall.

Sonko could be barred from standing in the upcoming presidential election as a result of the penalty.

Protests have erupted in response to the verdict, with Sonko’s supporters accusing the allegations of being politically motivated and part of a plan by Mr. Macky Sall to derail his political career.

No fewer than nine people died after confrontations between riot police and protesters as opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday.

Interior Minister Antoine Diome confirmed the casualties in a late-night news conference following a day of unrest around the country.

Mr Diome also confirmed that social media platforms have been disabled across the West African country.

According to netblocks.org, real-time network data show the restrictions in effect on Senegal’s leading mobile provider Orange (Sonatel) with restrictions subsequently also observed on Free (Tigo). The study is taken from a sample size of 4000 measurements from 120 vantage points across Senegal.

Meanwhile, Police have surrounded the home of Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, in Dakar after fatal rioting erupted over a jail sentence handed against him.

Mr Sonko was not present in court when he was sentenced to two years in prison for immoral behavior on Thursday.